Symposium Objective
Wetland biogeochemistry is dynamic and involves cycling or exchange or flux of materials between living and non-living components of an ecosystem. Biogeochemistry is an interdisciplinary science which includes the study of interactive biological, geological and chemical processes regulating the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants in soil, water and atmospheric components of an ecosystem. Biogeochemistry also provides a framework to integrate physical, chemical and biological processes functioning in an ecosystem at various spatial and temporal scales. This international symposium provides a framework for scientists to share technical information on various topics related to coupled biogeochemical cycling of macro-elements and associated organic and inorganic contaminants. The goal is to improve our understanding of the role wetlands perform in regulating and mitigating impacts of global climate change and sea level rise.
Specifically, this symposium will include recent advances related to experimental observations and models in the following areas: (1) Coupled cycling of macro-elements: molecular to landscape scales; (2) Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions; (3) Molecular chemical techniques and biomarkers; (4) Microbial ecology and molecular biology; (5) Influence of sea level rise on cycling of macro-elements in coastal and freshwater wetlands, and associated aquatic systems; (6) Hydrologic connectivity of wetlands with terrestrial and aquatic systems: influence on biogeochemical cycling; (7) Extreme environments include fire, hurricane, drought, and salinity impacts, (8) Landuse change including impacts of urban and agricultural practices; (9) role of biogeochemical cycling in regulating water quality, and (10) other related topics.
